What You Propose (Anything for Love 2)

He put his fingers into the pot and scooped out a small amount of balm. "It may hurt a little," he said dabbing some over her knuckles and a bit on each finger.

Anna winced as he began to rub in gentle, circular movements. A variety of smells permeated the air, and she focused on trying to identify them in a bid to ignore the sweet fire his touch roused.

"I can smell rosemary," she said swallowing deeply.

He nodded and gave a low hum. "I can smell honey, too, and almonds. The combination is quite soothing to the mind."

Soothing?

Her mind darted about from one chaotic image to another. The sense of desperate longing escalated when he turned her hand over to massage her palm.

"You … you were going to tell me why we're visiting the inn tonight." There, a change of subject would soon dampen her ardour.

"Oh, yes. It occurred to me that your assistance might prove valuable." He did not look up at her until he had finished his ministrations and then he placed her hand gently on the desk. "If we're seen together regularly, it will not look so suspicious if someone should find us roaming the woods at night."

"But won't it look odd. I can't imagine there are many women willing to enter an inn full of drunken men." A strange foreboding settled over her. "Unless you want me to dress in breeches while you call me Ned."

He laughed. "Not tonight. Perhaps Ned can come visit tomorrow." He pointed at her arm. "Give me your other hand."

Incredulously, she obeyed, but her mind was too occupied to worry about his warm touch.

"We can sit outside the inn if you prefer. Go for a stroll in the vicinity. It will give me a chance to survey who enters the premises. No one will think to question the motives of a man entertaining his mistress."

"Mistress!" The heat smouldering inside her body rushed to her face, and she could feel her cheeks burn. "Do not think to presume—"

"I do not presume anything. I speak with the best interests of the assignment in mind. May I remind you, you were the one offering yourself up as the sacrificial lamb."

She snatched her hand away. "Yes. But Tristan looked so worried, so racked with guilt, I thought it the only option."

He sat back in the chair, folded his arms across his chest and gave a smug grin. "That's not entirely true now is it? You're used to taking control and, if I'm not mistaken, you're suffering from boredom. You wanted something to occupy your time other than digging up soil and picking herbs."

&n

bsp; Anna couldn't argue with him. She had been desperate to find something useful to do. Something where she might prove her worth, the self-sacrifice a way of absolving the sins of the past.

"Can't you just say I'm your sister, come for a visit?"

He rubbed his chin, offered a look of thoughtful contemplation. "I suppose I could, but would the bastard son of an earl and his kitchen maid have kin? Of course, then it would look rather strange if I'm caught kissing you?"

Once again, Anna's thoughts were sent scattering like crisp leaves in the wind. She didn't know which revelation to address first. Marcus Danbury was the son of an earl and a kitchen maid? It explained everything. She sensed his contempt ran deeper than the social scars he'd been burdened with. The need to discover all of his darkest secrets burst forth. She wanted to understand him, delve deeper beneath his arrogant facade.

"Why on earth would you think we'd be caught kissing?" she said, deciding to deal with the other shocking revelation.

He moistened his lips. "Because I think we both know it is inevitable."

Anger flared. "Why, you conceited oaf. I should have guessed."

"Guessed what?"

"That the village simpleton would seek sanctuary in a monastery."

He sniggered. "Give me your hand and let me finish applying the balm." He reached across the desk and when she failed to abide by his request, he added, "Look, forget what I said. I spoke out of turn. It was foolish of me."

Anna raised her chin. "You didn't mean it then?"

His heated gaze lingered on her lips and the corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. "Just give me your hand and let me help you. I can't possibly entertain a mistress with the hands of a scullery maid."

Chapter 10